New ‘Communications Officer’ Position Created for the Alberta Courts to Increase Public and Media Access to the Courtroom

Upon becoming the Chief Justice of the Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench, Justice Mary Moreau declared her goal of demystifying the court and developing “better public and media access” to the courtroom. True to her word, Justice Moreau has created the new role of ‘Communications Officer for the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and the Court of Appeal of Alberta,’ which will initially exist as a three-month pilot project. Tony Blais has been appointed to this position after working as a court reporter for the past eighteen years.

It is also hoped that the Alberta courts will use different forms of social media and potentially webcasts in the future to continue to pursue the goal of increasing public and media awareness of our courtrooms.